Tipton celebrate darlo double two minutes from time

A goal keeping mistake three minutes from time decided this Black Country derby in favour of the visitors.

Darlaston thought they had opened the scoring in the first minute when a Lewis Taylor Boyce snapshor from 6 yards was superbly saved by keeper Mark Brach who somehow managed to deflect the goal bound effort over the bar. the corner came to nothing.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges but were guilty of overplaying in the final third of the pitch. Michael Nelson, Mark Swann and Josh Carvel all having extra touches when a shot on goal was the better option. As the first half progressed the visitors began to push forward and former Darlaston player Sam Hesson was impressive with his forceful runs but Craig Ball and Ryan McAllister were superb at the ehart of the defence in thwarting the danger of Dan and Jon Patrick.

Nelson and Carvel both missed good chances for the home side whilst Lucas Hough and Luke Charlton had the edge in midfield. Despite having the better of the first half the home side simply could not find the all elusive goal against a strong Tipton side superbly marshalled at the back by Paul Henley and Jamie Moore.

The second half was more even and Tipton's Jon Patrick and Jordan Harrison both began to find more space as the game became stretched as both sides pushed for the all important first goal. Dan Patrick shot inches wide from 15 yards whilst Hanson also failed to trouble keeper Aaron Morris when well placed.

As the game moved into the final stages a draw looked like the only result, which would've been fair on both sides. That was until the 87th minute. Home keeper Aaron Morris made a superb scrambilng save, clawing the ball off the goal line from Patrick. The ball was cleared upfield and fell to substitute Rob Hill just inside the Darlaston half, Hill sent in a high lob deep into the Darlaston goal area but there appeared to be no danger as keeper Morris appeared to safely gather underneath the cross bar and on his goal line. Unfortunately for the devastated keeper he dropped the ball and it crept inches over the goal line in what proved to be the decisive goal.

Despite the cruel set back Darlaston responded immediately and nearly snatched a dramatic last minute equaliser when Craig Ball's header from a Lucas Hough corner flew inches over the bar.

Darlaston player boss Mark Swann could not conceal his disappointment after the game " That was a cruel blow. I thought we were excellent in the first half and it was our best 45 minutes for sometime. I thought we deserved to be in front at half time but we missed chances and wanted too many touches in and around the penalty area. That said Tipton are a very good side and we knew they would be better in the second half. They have a strong spine throughout the team and were a much tougher proposition after the interval The second half was much more even and as the game progressed a draw would've been a fair result. Mozza (keeper - Aaron Morris) has been excellent for us all season and the save immediately before the goal was unbelievable . You can count his mistakes this season on one hand, unfortunately his mistake today cost us a goal but that is part and parcel of the game".